Radiator cap



Sept. 14,1926. 1,600,062

/ H. S. PARDEE ET AL RADIATOR GAP Filed April 1. 1922 Patented Sept. 34, 1926.

gamma L'IAIBSEY S. PABIDEE AND 5133331 A. DEWIBE, 0F CHICAGO, ILLHIGIS, ASSIGEIGBS TO 5 ?ARDEE, INK}, 0F GHIGAGG, LlLhINQIS, A CGELZPORATIGN 0F ILLIIlTGES.

RADIATOR GAP.

Application tiled April 1,

This invention relates to radiator caps, and with regard to certain more specific features, to radiator caps of the so-called lreylesstype.

-Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of a simple and inexpensive lock for a radiator cap; and the-provision of rugged and durable means for preventing unauthorized removal of the cap from the radiator. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter. o

"The invention accordingly consists in the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, steps and se uence of steps, and arrangement of parts w ich will be exemplified in the structure hereinafter of which will be indicated in the following described and the scope of. the application v claims. In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of the invention Fig. l a front elevation;

' Fig. 2 1s a side elevation partly in central section; Fig. 3 is a detail elevation;

Figs. l, 5,6 and? are central sectional elevations of adapters; and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary vertical section showing the cooperation of the clutch ball with the vertical groove in the side wall of the cap.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated at 10 a main supporting ring having a lower flange 11 internally threaded to engage the threaded upper end of the radiator neck 12. The engagement is either direct or through adapters hereinafter described. The ring 10 is surrounded by the body of the cap in the form of a second ring 13, locked to the ring by a piston ring 14 received within suitable grooves in cap and ring. After the cap has been teleseoped over 1922. serial No. 543,853.

vided with ornamental extensions or arms 15, which may also serve as convenient han dies for rotating it.

In order to lock the cap and ring against relative rotation in one direction, while permitting free relative rotation in the opposite direction, we provide preferably a pair of ball clutches arranged on opposite sides of the ring. Each clutch comprises a steel ball 18 carried loosely within an inclined slot 17, as shown in Fig. 3. When the cap is IOr tated in a direction to screw the ring down over the neck '12, the balls 16, which are normally retained by gravity near the lower .ends of said slots, are moved toward the lower end of their respective slots thereby gripping the rin l0 and causing its lower extension 11 to escrewed down hard on said neck. Rotating the cap 13 in a direction to unscrew the device from the radiator results simply in free rotation of the cap 13 upon the ring 10, as the halls 16 are rolled up their inclined grooves loy friction far enough to release their gripon the adjacent surfaces but not far enough to bind at the upper ends of the grooves. The flange 11 does not extend any appreciable distance below the lower end of the cap' and thus the ring is not adaptable to the a plication of an ordinary tool such as a Stil son wrench. This means that after the device has once been screwed, into place it is di'fiicult or impossible to remove it, as long as the radiator remains on the car and right side up.

In order to ensure tight engagement of the ball clutch during application of the device to a; radiator neck vertical slots 40 (Fig. 8) are. cut in the cap. During application of the cap to a radiator, the balls reach the vertical slots simultaneously and embed themselves to a substantial extent in the cap, thus ensuring engagement between pairing the same in a garage, for example, the radiator may then be turned upside down, resulting in the reversal of the locking action of the ball clutches. That is, in an inverted position of the radiator the balls tend to roll to the opposite ends of the grooves 17, as a result of which the cap may rotate the ring in a direction to permit unscrewing of the device from the radiator, but the cap will turn freely when rotated in the opposite direction.

The cap includes a hinged cover 19, the hinge being arranged preferably at the front. The hinge consists of a pin 20 passing through two lugs on the cap and a single lug on the cover. The hole for the pin does not pass completely through one of the cap lugs, making it difficult or impossible to drive the pinout. Said pin has a driving fit in said cap lugs, rendering it diflicult or impossible to withdraw said pin, as the exposed end does not project beyond its supporting lug.

' A bail 21 hinged to the cap carries a cam 22 engaging a notch 38 on the cover, to lock the cover in place. The cover is provided with a beveled under-surface 23, arranged to bear against a yielding gasket 24, made preferably of rubber, to insure that the cap when closed will be water-tight and steamtight. The rubber gasket rests on a thin metallic gasket 25, comprising preferably a fiat ring of brass or copper. During relative rotation of cap and ringthe rubber gasket has a tendency to adhere to the cap, and would also tend to adhere to the top of the ring 10 on which it rests were it not for the interposed metal gasket, which slides freely on the ring 10, thereby preventing the rubber gasket from binding and restricting the turning movement.

The device carried upon the cap may be a motometer 26 or other suitable instrument or ornament, and is held to the cap between a shoulder 27 and a nut 28, with washer and lock washer, on its threaded stem 29. The stem carries a second nut 30 hearing against a washer 31 of some soft metal such as annealed brass or copper and having a raised central portion. The washer 31 is of such diameter as to be received loosely within the undercut. groove 32 in the cover. In assembling the parts, the'nut 30 is tightened until the crowned washer 31 flattens out somewhat and increases its diameter sufficiently to lock it permanently within the groove 32. This washer prevents access to the nut 28, which holdsthe motometer to the cap, and thus prevents removal of the motometer from the cap. Accidental or in tentional loosening orremoval of the nut 30 d'oesnot result in loosening the washer 31, which cannot be removed except by destroying or'otherwise mutilating the washer or some other part of the structure.

The front part of the cap 13 is enlarged to form support for a plate 33. Said plate may carry any suitable insignia and may be ornamental. It is shown in the form of a shield bearing the initial ofv the owner. It is readily turned to face the front by simply rotating the cap by means of the arms 15, the friction between cap and ring preventing further accidental movement.

In filling the radiator the operator simply rotates the cam 22, swings the bail 21 down,

7 and turns the cover up. If the motometer 26 is in the way, in this position, the entire cap may be turneduntil the shield faces the rear. After filling the radiator the cap is turned further in the same direction to bring it tov normal position.

In instances where the threads on the ring 10 does not fit theradiator neck of an automobile, an adapter 37 such as is shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6 or 7, may be used. In some cases, a loose or freely-rotatable collar 18 on the adapter has suflicient height to cover the exposed part of the adapter as well as the portion of the annular member or ring below the cap, such collar preventing unscrewing of the adapter because it precludes the direct employment of a tool thereon.

In View of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are realized and other advantageous results attained.

As various possible embodiments might U be made of the above invention and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim 1. In a radiator-cap, the combination of a screw-threaded annular member designed to be screwed on to the neck of a radiator, a cap-body member enclosing said annular member and having a movable cover affording access to the interior of the radiator, means to prevent removal of the combined members from the radiator-neck and to prevent removal of the cap-body member from the annular member, including a one-way clutch between said'members permitting the annular member to be screwed on to the radiator neck by turning the cap-body member and preventing its being unscrewed therefrom by reverse rotation of the capbody member, said clutch including a ball in a groove in one of said two members, and a bridge across a portion of said groove.

2. In a radiator-cap, the combination of a screw-threaded annular member designed tobe screwed on to the neck of a radiator,

a cap-body member enclosing said annular.

ing-access to the interior of the radiator, means to prevent removal of the combined members from the radiator neck and to prevent removal of the cap-body member from the annular member, including a one-way clutch between said members permitting the annular member to be screwed on to the radiator neck by turning the cap-body member and preventing its being unscrewed therefrom by reverse rotation of the capbody member, said clutch including a ball adapted to occupy grooves in said two members, said grooves being at an angle to one another.

3. In a radiator-cap, the combination of a screw-threaded annular member designed to be screwed on to the neck of a radiator, a cap-body member enclosing said annular member and having a movable cover affording access to the interior of the radiator, means to prevent removal of the combined members from the radiator neck and to prevent removal of the cap-body member from theannular member, including a one-way clutch between said members permitting the annular member to be screwed on to the radiator neck by turning the cap-body member" and preventing its being unscrewed therefrom by reverse rotation of the capbody member, said clutch including a ball adapted to occupy grooves in said two members, said grooves being at an angle to one another, and a bridge across a portion of said groove in one member.

4.111 a radiator-cap, the combination of a screw-threaded annular member designed to be screwed on to the neck of a radiator, a cap body member enclosing said annular member and having a movable cover affording access to the interior of the radiator, means to prevent removal ofthe combined members from the radiator neck and to prevent removal of the cap-body member from said annular member, including a one-way clutch between said members permitting the annular member to be screwed on to the radiator neck by turning the cap-body memher and preventing it being unscrewed therefrom by reverse rotation of the cap-body member, said clutch including a ball in an inclined groove in the outer face of said annular member and a vertical groove in an inner face of said cap-body member.

5. In a radiator-cap, the combination of a screw threaded annular member designed to be screwed on to the neck of a radiator, a cap-body member enclosing said annular member and having a movable cover afl'ording access to the interior of the radiator, means to prevent removal of the combined member from the radiator neck and to prevent removal of the cap-bod member from the annular member, inclu ing a one-way clutch between said members permitting the annular member to be screwed on to the radiator neck by turning the cap-body member and preventing its being unscrewed therefrom by reverse rotation of the capborly member, said clutch including a'bal-l in an inclined groove in one of said members and a vertical groove in the other member, and a bridge across a portion of said inclined groove.

6. The combination of a screw-threaded adapter designed to fit on the neck of a radiator, an annular member constructed to be screwed to said adapter, a cap-body member enclosing said annular member and having a movable cover affording access to the interior of the radiator, means to prevent longitudinal separation of said cap-body member and annular member, a one-way clutch between said members permitting the annular member to be screwed on to the' adapter by turning the cap body member and preventing its being unscrewed therefrom by reverse rotation of the cap-body member, andv a freely-rotatable collar enclosing the exposed portion of said adapter preventing operative access to the latter so that it cannot be unscrewed from the radiator neck.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specification this 28th day of March, 1922.

HARVEY S. PARDEE. JOHN A. DEWIRE. 

